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Science & Engineering

What is a hybrid rocket motor? What advantages does it have over conventional liquid and solid propellant rocket motors? These questions point to an exciting breakthrough that occurred on December 13, 2018, when Virgin Galactic successfully launched VSS Unity on its first suborbital flight.

As you’ve watched the ski jumpers competing in the Winter Olympics, have you ever wondered why they assume the positions they do during the inrun and jump? It’s not just a silly skiing style, it’s aerodynamics in action—and it’s the same rules that impact airplanes in flight.